Why do so many crews still use post hole diggers instead of augers?

I was talking to an old timer named Jim at the supplier last Tuesday. He said he can set 50 posts a day with a manual digger and refuses to use a powered auger because 'you feel the ground better.' On the other hand, I see crews on big commercial jobs running augers and doing 200 posts a day easy. Is there really that much of a difference in accuracy or are some guys just stuck in their ways? What do you all use and why?

2 comments

2 Comments

carr.brian2d ago

Same reason old carpenters still use hand planes, some things just work and you get used to it.

elliotjenkins1d ago

So does that mean you think the newer stuff is just a downgrade across the board, or are we just getting set in our ways? I see guys all the time who swear by their old tools but won't even try a nice cordless drill with a torque setting. Isn't that just leaving a lot of speed and convenience on the table?